Students join striking Slippery Rock faculty on picket line

Some students joined union members on picket lines after contract talks broke off with Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.

Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties President Dr. Kenneth M. Mash said members went on strike at 5 a.m. Wednesday.

Slippery Rock professor, Colleen Cooke, says, "The last best agreement the state offered us last night was a regressive agreement. The stuff they put back on the table was stuff they had taken off before which is an unfair labor practice."

The strike will end when negotiators reach a contract, according to a statement from the union.

A statement issued by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education advised students to report to their scheduled classes unless the university indicates otherwise.

Slippery Rock University issued a statement saying its campus is open with regular hours of operation.

Some students were seen out picketing with faculty at Slippery Rock Wednesday. 21 News asked them why they were there.

"I'm out here today because I spent $40,000 so far to better myself and my community and I think the state has been spending money recklessly and the fact that we can afford raises for the administrators," says SRU senior, Anthony DeRosa.

The faculty contract expired June 30, 2015, and negotiations have been ongoing since late 2014.

The union represents about 5,500 faculty and coaches at the State System universities: Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania.

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